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| Pass the FE Exam |
Calculator: The most important tip I can give is to get a good calculator and learn how to use it to the fullest extent. I’m partial to Texas Instruments (TI) calculators, so I looked up what was allowed for the exam. I found that, for TI branded calculators, “TI-36” must be part of the name. The most powerful calculator fitting that description was the “TI-36X PRO,” so I ordered it. I did a review of the calculator in a previous post (link). Bottom line is that it is a great calculator for this test. I know that some people take pride in doing calculations in their head, but during the morning portion, you will have so many questions to answer that you will likely be crunched for time. Some of the math questions on the morning portion will simply take a couple keystrokes on the right calculator. This time savings will help you when you reach the subjects you struggle with.
Handbook: The second most important tip I can give is to print out the NCEES handbook (the PDF they give you with all the formulas), get it bound and use it to solve a bunch of practice problems. I know that we are in the digital age where we mostly look at documents on a computer screen, but this is one document where you need to actually have a hard copy. Note that the handbook is over 200 pages, which makes it very unwieldy if it is not bound. Again, like the calculator, some of the questions on the morning exam will be answered implicitly by the handbook. On exam day, when you are struggling with a problem, you will have two resources to help you out: your handbook and your calculator. If you are not familiar with either resource, they won’t be very much help.
Review Manual: My school did not offer a review course, so I bought Michael R. Lindeburg’s FE Review Manual. This book only prepares you for the morning portion but it does a great job. It has practice questions at the end of each chapter and a full 4 hour practice test in the back. In general, I felt like the questions on the actual FE Exam were easier than Lindeburg’s practice questions. Perhaps this was on purpose, but it made me feel confident on exam day. Also, the pages before the first chapter contain very good general information about the exam, such as what to bring and what to expect on exam day. I would recommend getting this book.
Also check out my post on FE Exam Strategy (link)
LINKS:
Lindeburg's Review Manual: http://ppi2pass.com/shop/fe-eit-exam/fe-eit-exam-review-materials
NCEES: http://www.ncees.org/
Great resource site: http://www.feexamreview.com/
that is wonderful what major did you take your exam in? I was graduated for 7 years from out of U.S I am civil engineer looking for study materials for the FE. I checked the hand book I knew much about its content but I still need refresh class to remember all these subjects. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, I had the benefit of being in my senior year and having some of that college content fresh in my mind. A review class would probably be very helpful. Especially for content like math which is so easy to forget and it is used so often on the test. Good luck!!
DeleteNice Post... i like it....
ReplyDeleteWhat did you do to prepare for the afternoon discipline specific portion of the exam?
ReplyDeleteare the subjects of the morning and of the afternoon are different?
ReplyDeletemorning is general (everything) and afternoon is discipline-specific (usually your major). Or you can sign up for the "Other Disciplines" afternoon section which is more of the general questions.
DeleteHi Nick,
ReplyDeleteSuper tips.....how long does it take you to prepare for morning as well as noon session?
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteGood blog, with very useful info. I know because I scan the net for updated info. I wanted to ask however if it would be possible for you to allow this post for our Exam prep courses for the engineering exams.
Our website is http://www.schoolofpe.com and we have been giving ncees exam refresher courses since 2004.
Thank you and good luck in your venture